“suntan salons”
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Queries
The responses set forth below express the views of individualphysicians and/or the Editor(s) and do not represent official positionsor recommendations of the American Academy of Dermatology. Inc.
"Suntan salons"To the Editor:
I have been asked to act as a consultant to a corporation interested in starting a chain of "suntan salons ."These salons will utilize light booths with sixteen Westinghouse light bulbs emitting UV light in the range of280-350 nm. Advertising will only promote their use toproduce a handsome tan and will not intimate nor implymedical treatment for any skin disorders. At least twoother franchise operations are already in effect, and arequite successful.
Since this is apparently not a new business concept,and in view of all of the potential serious side effects ofUV irradiation, I was wondering if the AmericanAcademy of Dermatology has released any officialstatements or has taken any position concerning thesesalons or similar commercial enterprises.
M.D.Sycamore, ILJuly 30, /979
ReplyThe energy produced by the Westinghouse light
source appears to contain primarily uva (sunburn
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rays). These are the rays that not only produce newpigment formation but also produce the acute photodamage induced by the sun and the chronic effects,i.e., wrinkling, dryness, connective tissue damage, actinic keratoses, and skin cancers. Their relationship tomelanoma formation has not been clarified.
Though UV irradiation can be a useful therapeutictool in conditions such as psoriasis, acne, and at timesother diseases, the development of additional actinicdamage (in addition to what one receives from the sun)without therapeutic benefit seems ill-advised.
The use of UV energy to produce a suntan forcosmetic purposes seems unwarranted to me since during the development of this tan the skin is indeed beingactinically damaged. In addition, the lack of medicalexamination of each patient before exposure could welllead to radiating people who cannot tan, and so on. Inthis last instance, the susceptible will receive extra photoinjury.
In summary, I believe that this is an inappropriateuse of this type of radiation energy.
John H. Epstein. M.D.San Francisco, CA
Aug. 20, /979